Steering-wheel cover

ABSTRACT

A steering-wheel cover comprising an endless perforated band is wrapped around a toroidal steering wheel and a lace attached to one edge of the band is wound around the wheel to hold the cover in place. The end of the lace carries a rigid metal strip or needle whose end is bent over the lace end so that it lies normally parallel to the lace. By means of this strip the lace end can be threaded through perforations on the cover for best holding characteristics. Spaced from the end of the strip opposite the bent-over end and inward of a longitudinal edge of the strip there is a cutting edge by means of which the free end of the lace is cut off. Advantageously the bent-over end of the metal strip is provided for best securing of the lace end.

United States Patent [191 Meier 5] March 6, 1973 [73] Assignee: Kamei,Auto-Komfort Wolfsburg K.

Meier KG, Wolfsburg, Germany [22] Filed: Dec. 20, 1971 [21] Appl. No.:210,036

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data I Dec. 19, 1970 Germany ..G 46993.1

[52] US. Cl ..74/558, 223/103 [51] Int. Cl. ..B62d 1/06 [58] Field ofSearch .....74/558, 558.5, 552; 223/102, 223/103, 104

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,610,777 9/1952 Harris..223/103 3,312,124 4/1967 Meier et a1. ..74/558 Primary ExaminerCharlesJ. Myhre Assistant Examiner-F. D. Shoemaker Attorney-Karl F. Ross [57]ABSTRACT A steering-wheel cover comprising an endless perforated band iswrapped around a toroidal steering wheel and a lace attached to one edgeof the band is wound around the wheel to hold the cover in place. Theend of the lace carries a rigid metal strip or needle whose end is bentover the lace end so that it lies normally parallel to the lace. Bymeans of this strip the lace end can be threaded through perforations onthe cover for best holding characteristics. Spaced from the end of thestrip opposite the bent-over end and inward of a longitudinal edge ofthe strip there is a cutting edge by means of which the free end of thelace is cut off. Advantageously the bent-over end of the metal strip isprovided for best securing of the lace end.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures STEERING-WHEEL COVER FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a steering-wheel cover. Morespecifically this invention concerns the type of cover described in myUS. Pat. Nos. 3,489,031 and 3,530,739 and in US. Pat. No. 3,312,124filed by Klaus Meier and myself for a Steering-Wheel Assembly ForAutomotive Vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The types of steering-wheel cover describedin the above-named patents comprise a pair of fluid-impenetrable skinsbetween which there is provided a porous spongy layer. Through-goingperforations are provided over the entire surface of this sandwich sothat the inner layer breathes as it is compressed during driving.

The cover is an endless band from one side of which extends a long laceand from the other side of which extends a short lace. The band isfitted around a toroidal steering wheel and the long lace is woundhelically around the wheel over the band to secure the cover thereto.

When the entire cover has been so wrapped the free end of the long lacecan be tied to the shorter lace; This results in a knot which, if it isnot to come undone, must be relatively large. Such a knot can beextremely bothersome to the driver since it presents an uncomfortablelump somewhere on his steering wheel. Alternatively it has beensuggested to thread the end of the lace in and out through some of theholes of the cover and then cut it off. Although this operation presentsa smooth appearance and does indeed adequately secure the lace end, itis an extremely difficult operation. To manage this type of fasteningthe cover must be pinched and then the only slightly stiff lace endforced through two holes, it being necessary to chose two holes closeenough together to allow this operation. At the best such aninstallation is a difficult and troublesomejob.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the presentinvention to provide an improved steering wheel cover of theabovedescribed general type.

Another object is the provision of such a cover which can be quickly andeasily installed on a steering wheel without knotting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These objects are attained according to thepresent invention by a steering-wheel cover of the abovedescribedperforated type which has a single lace whose end is provided with arigid needle portion itself provided with a cutting edge. This needleportion makes threading of the lace end in and out of a few holes on thecover a very simple operation, while its cutting edge allows the freelace end to be cut off without the use of any supplementary tools.

According to another feature of this invention the needle portioncomprises a straight thin metal strip having one end bent over the laceend so that the lace end region normally lies along the strip. Thisstrip can be provided atits bent-over end with a tooth that passesthrough the lace end and projects into a corresponding hole on thefacing region of the metal strip.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention thecutting edge is spaced from the ends of strip and inwardly from thelongitudinal edge of the strip to prevent the user from accidentallycutting himself or the cover.

Such a steering-wheel cover assembly is installed on a toroidal steeringwheel much as described above for the prior art except that the needleat the lace end is threaded through several of the covers perforations.Thereafter the cutting edge on the needle is employed to cut off theexcess, and the lace end carrying the needle is discarded. Thus thecover can be mounted rapidly without the use of any tools at all, andcan be secured in what has been found to be the most advantageous mannerpossible.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The above and other objects, features, andadvantages of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description, reference being made to the accompanying drawingin which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the needle and lace end of the coveraccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing how the lace end of my cover issecured as the cover is installed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing how the excess lace is cut offusing the cover assembly according to my present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section through the lace end and needleaccording to the present invention.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 the steering-wheel cover1 is formed with a multiplicity of throughgoing perforations'2 and iswrapped around a toroidal steering wheel 3. The cover 1 comprises anendless band of syntheticresin material as described in theabove-mentioned patents. A lace 4 of synthetic resin extends from oneedge of the cover 1 and is provided with a needle-cutter 6 which isattached to its extreme end 5.

The needle-cutter 6 is a straight rigid metal strip which is bent overat 7 around the end 5 so that it is generally J-shaped. In order to bestsecure the end 5, the end 7 is provided with a tooth 8 that is adaptedto pass through the lace 4 and protrude into a hole or aperture 9 on thefacing portion of the strip forming the needle 6.

A cutting edge 11 is formed on the strip 6 adjacent the end 10 thereof,but spaced therefrom, and also spaced inwardly on thestrip 6 from alongitudinal edge 12 thereof. This edge 11 is simply formed by obliquilygrinding away a portion of the strip 6 spaced from the end 10 thereofwhich is opposite to the bent-over end 7 of the strip. This recessinggreatly reduces chances of accidentally cutting oneself on the cover 1,and also makes it easy to catch and cut the lace 4.

Installation of the cover 1 is carried out in the customary manner bywrapping the endless band around the wheel 3 and then winding the lace 4around it helically. When the winding is completed, the end 10 of thestrip 6 is grasped by the fingers and the end 7 is threaded through twoof the holes 2 in the cover 1, under a turn 13 of the lace 4 around thewheel 3 and cover 1 as shown in FIG. 2. Thereafter the end 7 is graspedand the lace is pulled through. This threading can be carried outseveral times around the cover 1 for best holding characteristics, withthe lace 4 overlying itself like turn 13 for best holding effect. Whensufficient quantity of lace 4 has been threaded under and over the cover1 this lace 4 is grasped adjacent a hole 2 and pulled snug, as shown inFIG. 3, and the cutter-threader 6 is grasped by its end 7 and thecutting edge 11 is employed to cut the lace 4 just adjacent the hole 2from which it emerges. Then the lace end with the needle 6 is discardedand the installation is complete, the free end of the lace 4 havingpulled back under the cover 1, or being caught under an edge of thiscover 1.

In this manner an extremely neat installation is obtained. Even theleast dextrous person can quickly and easily effect such aninstallation, without having to use any cutting instruments of his ownto finish the job. Since the cutter is part of the original articlethere will be no reason why the user need not bother to make a goodinstallation. He cannotlose the needle or cutter prior to mounting ofthe cover on the wheel so that proper installation is ensured.

I claim:

1. A steering-wheel cover assembly comprising:

a cover formed with a plurality of perforations and adapted to bewrapped around a steering wheel;

a lace attached to said cover at one end and adapted to be wound aroundsaid steering wheel over said cover to retain same thereon; and

a rigid elongated body attached to the other end of said lace andprovided with a cutting edge. said body being dimensioned to passthrough at least one of said perforations.

2. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said body has a bent-overend, said other end of said lace being clamped against said body by saidbent-over end.

3. The assembly defined in claim 2 wherein said body is provided in theregion of said bent-over end with a tooth projecting into said other endof said lace.

4. The assembly defined in claim 3 wherein said body is formed with anaperture aligned with said tooth, said tooth projecting through saidlace into said aperture.

5. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said cutting edge extendsonly along a portion of the length of said strip and is spaced from theend thereof opposite said bent-over end.

6. The assembly defined in claim 5 wherein said cutting edge is recessedinwardly from a longitudinal edge of said strip.

7. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said body has a bent-overend, said other end of said lace being clamped against said body by saidbent-over end, said body being provided at said bent-over end with alaterally projecting tooth and being formed with a hole in linetherewith, said tooth projecting therewith, said tooth projectingthrough said lace and into said hole, said cutting edge extending onlyalong a portion of the length of said strip and being spaced from oneend thereof and recessed from a longitudinal thereof, said lace adjacentsaid other end lying normally generally parallel to said strip.

1. A steering-wheel cover assembly comprising: a cover formed with aplurality of perforations and adapted to be wrapped around a steeringwheel; a lace attached to said cover at one end and adapted to be woundaround said steering wheel over said cover to retain same thereon; and arigid elongated body attached to the other end of said lace and providedwith a cutting edge, said body being dimensioned to pass through atleast one of said perforations.
 1. A steering-wheel cover assemblycomprising: a cover formed with a plurality of perforations and adaptedto be wrapped around a steering wheel; a lace attached to said cover atone end and adapted to be wound around said steering wheel over saidcover to retain same thereon; and a rigid elongated body attached to theother end of said lace and provided with a cutting edge, said body beingdimensioned to pass through at least one of said perforations.
 2. Theassembly defined in claim 1 wherein said body has a bent-over end, saidother end of said lace being clamped against said body by said bent-overend.
 3. The assembly defined in claim 2 wherein said body is provided inthe region of said bent-over end with a tooth projecting into said otherend of said lace.
 4. The assembly defined in claim 3 wherein said bodyis formed with an aperture aligned with said tooth, said toothprojecting through said lace into said aperture.
 5. The assembly definedin claim 1 wherein said cutting edge extends only along a portion of thelength of said strip and is spaced from the end thereof opposite saidbent-over end.
 6. The assembly defined in claim 5 wherein said cuttingedge is recessed inwardly from a longitudinal edge of said strip.